Flexible adaptive hearing aid

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a flexible adaptive hearing aid characterized by comprising: a part made of rigid material ( 1 ) which will contain the electronic circuit of the hearing aid, and a part made of flexible adaptive material ( 2 ) which will have at least one annular flange ( 3 ) which will improve the fit between the assembly and the internal auditory canal of the user. The part made of flexible material will cover at least a portion ( 4 ) of the surface of the part of rigid material. It will additionally have a cover to assure assembly tightness.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention corresponds to the sector of electronic apparatusfor medical purposes, more specifically to the sector of electronicsound amplification devices to improve communication.

PRIOR ART

Today in the aforementioned sector, there are a number of electronicsound amplification devices to allow improved communication of the user.

These apparatus commonly receive sound through a microphone, whichconverts the sound waves into electrical signals, such that theamplifier increases the volume of said signals and sends the sounds tothe ear through a loudspeaker.

The development of technology today has allowed for the integration ofsmall-sized sound amplifiers, which offers significant benefits toauditory perception and the quality of life of the users, who in turnbenefit from the small size as it helps to maintain discretion andappearance.

The arrival of digital technology has allowed for the emergence of anumber of advantages as regards the operation thereof, with automaticadjustments of sound levels required by the user. Through a preciseadaptation to the hearing loss of the user using a computer, it offershigh fidelity sound quality.

Different types can be found on the market, such as in-the-ear types(which fit in the outer ear), behind-the-ear types (placed behind theear, connected to a plastic ear mold located inside the outer ear) andcompletely-in-canal types (housed inside the ear canal).

This last type is the most beneficial for the user both on a soundquality level and on an aesthetic level since they are concealed insidethe actual ear canal.

However, fitting them and taking them out can be complicated, oftenbeing more of a discomfort than a solution for the user. They may alsocause uncomfortable pain or rubbing.

Additionally, given their poor fit, they may easily fall out and getlost during use in the event of a sudden movement, which would involve ahigh cost to replace it.

The present invention therefore addresses the current problems withcompletely-in-canal hearing aids, which cause user discomfort, caused bythe poor fit and placement thereof.

Examples of current inventions belonging to the mentioned technicalfield are listed below:

-   -   ES2151592T3 “Prótesis auditiva interna de obturación        flexible”(In-the-ear hearing aid with flexible seal)    -   ES2558084T3“Auricular mejorado” (Improved earpiece)    -   ES2392812T3“Audífono” (Ear cup)    -   ES2426336T3“Dispositivo expandible intraauricular”(Expandable        in-ear device)    -   ES2182424T3 “Un aparato de ayuda auditiva” (Listening assistance        device)    -   ES2380132T3 “Audífono mejorado de acción directa en el oído        medio y procedimiento de instalación relacionado” (Middle ear        direct action improved hearing aid and related installation        method)

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is toachieve a removable completely-in-canal hearing aid with a fit once itis placed which allows the user to wear it for long periods of timewithout feeling any discomfort. Furthermore, it prevents the possibilityof losing the device.

Additionally, the assembly is sub-divided into two different parts: apart made of a more rigid material which will be placed in the interiorof the hearing aid, and a part made of a more flexible material, whichwill be fixed on the outside thereof. Furthermore, it will have a coverso that the device is completely leak-tight.

On one hand, the part made of rigid material will be in charge ofcontaining the electronic circuit in charge of amplifying the sound,from the receiving microphone to the emitting loudspeaker, managingsound quality and clarity and aiding in user communication.

On the other hand, the part made of flexible material will cover atleast part of the surface of rigid material, with the function ofperfectly fitting it in the inner ear of the user, assuring minimumtolerances which will assure precise coupling.

This has two clear advantages. On one hand, it assures there will be nounwanted movements of the hearing aid with respect to the inner ear ofthe user, causing poor sensations, assuring a perfect hold andpreventing it from coming out. On the other hand, since it is a highlyadaptable flexible material, it assures that unwanted rubbing which mayhurt the user does not take place. It thereby prevents annoying sound ornoise interference from occurring due to acoustic coupling since thedevice does not come out.

Since it is made up of two clearly distinguished parts, simplesubstitution of the flexible part is possible. This assures durabilityof the assembly, since it allows replacing the outer part when it issubjected to wear due to use.

Since the part containing the electronic circuit represents the highercost, a long-lasting low-cost hearing aid is assured.

To assure system adaptability, the outer part will have at least onering-shaped flange, surrounding the entire assembly. The number offlanges used is variable, depending on user requirements, and it mayhave as many as needed for use to be as comfortable as possible.

Based on this, the present invention provides a hearing aid made up oftwo different replaceable parts which will allow the user to use itwithout any type of discomfort, assuring that the fit between the outerpart of the assembly and the internal auditory canal is perfect,preventing unnecessary movements and rubbing, while at the same timehelping to keep the sound undistorted.

Furthermore, since the part flexible can be readily changed, the systemrepresents significant savings, where the outer part can be replacedover time and the electronic circuit representing a higher cost for theuser is conserved.

The description and the following claims do not seek to exclude othertechnical features, components, or steps. For those skilled in the art,other objects, advantages and features of the invention will becomeapparent in part from the description and in part from the use of theinvention. The following examples and drawings are provided by way ofillustration and do not intend to limit the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To complement the description being made and for the purpose of helpingto better understand the features of the invention, a set of drawings isattached as an integral part of said description in which the followingis depicted with an illustrative and non-limiting character:

FIG. 1 shows general views of the hearing aid.

FIG. 2 shows detail views of the part made of rigid material.

FIG. 3 shows detail views of the part made of flexible material.

BEST WAY TO CARRY OUT THE INVENTION

Based on the attached drawings, a preferred configuration of theinvention is described below.

More specifically, the object of the present specification ischaracterized by comprising: a part made of rigid material (1) whichwill contain the electronic circuit of the hearing aid, and a part madeof flexible adaptive material (2) which will have at least one annularflange (3) which will improve the fit between the assembly and theinternal auditory canal of the user. The part made of flexible materialwill cover at least a portion (4) of the surface of the part of rigidmaterial. It will additionally have a cover to assure assemblytightness. An example of the hearing aid can be seen in FIG. 1.

The part made of rigid material (1) will be hollow to enable housing inits interior (5) the electronic circuit in charge of amplifying thesound reaching the microphone, emitting it by means of the built-inloudspeaker. Furthermore, it will have a cover to assure that theassembly is leak-tight and that the electronic circuit cannot be damagedby external or ambient conditions, placed at the beginning of theassembly (6). A detail of the rigid part of the hearing aid can be seenin FIG. 2.

This part will contain a recess where the part made of flexible materialwill be placed covering a portion of the surface (4).

The part made of adaptive flexible material (2) will be annular-shapedto enable housing in its interior (7), at least a portion of theaforementioned part, such that it will be in charge of assuring aperfect fit between the entire assembly and the auditory canal of theuser.

To that end, it will have at least one hook-shaped flange (3) that willfacilitate the introduction of the hearing aid into the inner ear canaland assure the contact and fit between same, preventing any type ofplay.

The flexible part (2) may be disassembled with respect to the rigid part(1), such that it allows the easy substitution in the event of wear orhardening, assuring high system durability.

This hearing aid may be adapted to any type of user, since both thenumber of flanges and the entire shape of the soft part may becustomized to suit the needs of each case. The sound is therefore notaltered and no annoying noises are produced.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION

The industrial application of the invention is clear, as it allowsobtaining a hearing aid with a high durability because the parts formingit can be changed. It assures complete system functionality, assuringfull comfort for the user. It also prevents problems with unwantedmovements or distorted sounds, providing a perfect fit which eliminatesany play that may arise, stabilizing hearing.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A flexible adaptive hearing aid,comprising: at least one rigid portion defining a hollow body configuredto house an electronic circuit, a cover placed on a first end of thehousing, and a channel coupled to a second end of the housing and beingconfigured for inserting into an ear canal; and a flexible portionhaving a cylindrical-shape configured to be removably mounted over anouter surface of said channel; wherein the flexible portion includes aplurality of annular hook-shaped flanges configured to engage an innersurface of the ear canal, each one of said annular hook-shaped flangesprotrudes outwardly from said flexible portion and having an identicalouter diameter; and wherein said channel defines a recess on said outersurface, and wherein said flexible portion is configured to entirely fitin said recess.